Daily Dose

From Delights & Shadows: Poems, by Ted Kooser

MOURNERS

After the funeral, the mourners gather
under the rustling churchyard maples
and talk softly, like clusters of leaves.
White shirt cuffs and collars flash in the shade:
highlights on deep green water.
They came this afternoon to say goodbye,
but now they keep saying hello and hello,
peering into each other’s faces,
slow to let go of each other’s hands.

Mourners by Ted Kooser

Daily Dose

Valentines: Poems, by Ted Kooser

THE HOG-NOSED SNAKE

"The hog-nosed snake, when playing dead,
Lets its tongue loll out of its ugly head.

It lies on it's back as stiff as a stick;
If you flip it over it'll flip back quick.

If I seem dead when you awake,
Just flip me once, like the hog-nosed snake."